During the ongoing ambulance procurement trial today, Richard Jakpa, the third accused, has raised objections to the court’s admission of his WhatsApp messages to Attorney-General Godfred Dame, claiming that the evidence has been tampered with.
During court proceedings on Thursday, June 20, Jakpa alleged that the WhatsApp messages submitted by the Attorney-General were altered and did not represent the full context of their communications. This assertion has sparked controversy and raised questions about the integrity of the evidence presented.
Jakpa’s counsel, Thaddeus Sory, argued against the tendering of the WhatsApp chats, claiming that they did not encompass the full conversation between Jakpa and the Attorney-General.
However, Sory did not specify which chats were omitted, leading to a pointed response from Director of Public Prosecutions Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa. She described Sory’s objections as a “bare assertion,” noting that neither Jakpa nor his counsel provided details on the allegedly missing messages.
Moreover, she highlighted that Jakpa himself admitted to not tendering the complete set of WhatsApp chats, choosing instead to submit only those messages he deemed beneficial to his case.
Despite the objections, the court overruled Jakpa’s challenge. Trial judge Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe ruled that the exhibit was relevant and that no prejudice would result from tendering the full set of WhatsApp messages.
She underscored that Jakpa had selectively submitted messages, and it was important for the court to consider the entire conversation to assess the context accurately.
Jakpa also claimed that the number of messages he sent to the Attorney-General was less than the 68 presented in court. The judge responded by stating that the messages were already admitted into evidence and that she would count them to verify the number.
The court had earlier admitted 68 WhatsApp messages from Jakpa, which he claimed were tampered with to misrepresent his communications. Jakpa’s objections and allegations have added a new layer of complexity to the trial, as the court now must consider the validity and completeness of the digital evidence.
Meanwhile, the third accused claims the Attorney-General arranged through Justice Kulendi for a meeting.
The Director of Public Prosecutions asked him to look at the various exhibits he had put before the court and indicate where the Attorney-General is seen inviting him to a meeting.
He was unable to indicate and said that Justice Kulendi called him informing him that the A-G was in his house and therefore, he should come.